Henderson took the title after second-runner up Natalie Kirkman of Springville Elementary misspelled the word "slaughter".

Henderson was then able to spell her final word - licorice - to win the title.

There was a three-way tie for third place: Cassandra Stutz, a fifth grader from Burris Elementary; Audri Fish, a fourth grader at Needmore Elementary and Sara Getman, a fifth grader at St. Vincent de Paul.

Henderson, who is a fifth grader, will compete against middle school students Thursday night at Schafer Auditorium. 1340 AM WBIW is hosting the event, which will start at 4:30 p.m.

Henderson is a little nervous about competing.

"But tomorrow is my birthday, I'll be 11, so maybe I will have some birthday luck," Henderson added after winning today's event.

Henderson won a spelling bee trophy, t-shirt, certificate and a mint coin set from Bedford Federal Savings Bank and a chance to compete against the middle school winners.

Second and third place winners took home a certificate, t-shirt and spelling bee trophy.

All other contestants were given a t-shirt and certificate.

The winner of Thursday's competition will advance to the Kentucky Derby Festival Spelling on March 15 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. They will also win a trophy, pizza party for their homeroom class and a mint coin collection.

Others competing for the title and champions of their schools were:

Brentlee Daughtery, grade 5, Dollens Elementary

Sarah Jackson, grade 5, Parkview Intermediate

Aden Pemberton, grade 5, Shawswick Elementary

Georgia Sites, grade 5, Heltonville Elementary

Dannah Sorrells, grade 5, Stalker Elementary

Eva Waggoner, grade 5, Fayetteville Elementary

Amber Voitschild, grade 5, Lawrence County Christian Home School.

If you can't attend the event, it will be broadcast on 1340 AM WBIW both tonight and Thursday at 6:30p.m. It will also be streaming here on wbiw.com